I hiked what seems to be the most scenic trail in Penang yesterday and I did not have a single picture to prove it! :(

The trail is from Air Itam dam to Balik Pulau, the distance is almost similar to the longest route from Teluk Bahang to Penang Hill, only this one is easier, more scenic and definitely have more people using it (mountain bikers, fruit vendors) and less scary. At least I don't have to worry about tiger jumping on me out of sudden from the bushes or something :P

We went with another older couple in their 60s and 70s, it was their first time (also my first time) and I think we nearly 'killed' them with the heat and distance :P They were initially told that it's going to be a 3 hour walk to and fro but little did they know we ended up walking 3 hours one way (cause they're not as fast as us and we stopped quite a bit for the wife to take pictures and chatted a bit with some locals and owners of fruit orchards).

This time around, we made sure we brought enough water and some food just in case but they only brought 500ml water to share between them @_@ Anyway, it was a good thing that we stopped to refresh and rehydrate ourselves at one of the coffeeshop in Balik Pulau before making the trip back again.

I love love love the trail! The slopes aren't as steep as the route going up Penang hill but there are so many of them that after a while, you just need to stop and take a rest for the sake of the knees. And there were quite a few things to see along the way, mainly fruits still attached to their trees (the route goes past a few fruit orchards). We saw pumpkins, gourds, pineapples, bananas, papayas, cempedak, mangosteen, coconuts, jackfruits, rambutans and many different species of flowers growing along the way. Very nice and relaxing! Too bad it's no longer durian season or I'm sure the route will be filled with aroma of durian, another added plus to the hike.

How come no one told me about this route before?! (*flashes a piercing look at the bf*) We're always going up the blardy Penang Hill every week and now that I know bout this route, even though it's longer than going up Penang Hill, it's much nicer and there are more things to see. I'll definitely attempt this trail again soon.

In total, I was told that we walked about 10miles (about 16km) coz someone took the trouble to check the map. Great achievement alright. I did feel a difference after that, my legs were aching quite a bit, must be the different levels of terrains along the way but I'm not complaining and I'm proud I did it. So am I proud of the older couple who did it with us, I've never seen such fit couple like them before. They took their time and walked on their own pace but they tried their best to push it to the end. You see, when it comes to fitness, it's the attitude that matters!

Anyway if you plan to attempt the trail, here's a link *click* you can get some reference on.

As satisfied as I felt after the hike, the good feeling was shortlived after I checked the content of what I consumed for dessert after... 21g of fat FML

Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) has announced it will contest in three parliamentary seats currently held by PKR in the coming general election.

In a statement issued today, PRM said its newly-elected president Dr Rohana Ariffin (left) had announced it would contest in Balik Pulau in Penang, and Selayang and Petaling Jaya Selatan in Selangor.

The three constituencies are represented by Yusmadi Yusof, William Leong and Hee Loy Sian respectively.

Unless PRM can resolve the matter with PKR, therefore, there will be a three-cornered fight among the two parties and BN in the next general election, which some expect to be held early next year.

It is understood that there is currently no deal between PRM and PKR. The latter is expected to issue a statement when its political bureau meets on Wednesday evening.

PRM was said to have merged with PKR precursor Parti Keadilan Nasional in 2003 after protracted discussions between leaders of the two parties.

A faction within PRM, however, claims a significant number of its members were against the merger, that it is still functioning as a political party, and is still recognised as a separate entity by the Registrar of Societies.

However, PKR leaders, including those formerly in the leadership of the leftist party founded in 1955 by independence fighter and one-time MP Ahmad Boestamam, have insisted that PRM no longer exists.

They pointed out that some of its leaders, such as former president Hassan Abdul Karim (right) and secretary-general SK Song – who were among those who insisted on PRM's continued existence – had even contested the 2004 general election under the PKR banner.

They had also attended the first merged congress of PKR in 2005 held in Ipoh and witnessed the democratic process of the election to elect committee members.

In the statement today, PRM also announced its new line-up following party elections held over the weekend at its headquarters in Petaling Jaya Selatan.

Beside Rohana, the others elected to PRM's new leadership are Song (deputy president) and G Palaniandy, Tan Chin Hong and Koh Swee Yong as vice-presidents.